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Hong Kong Airport to MONG KOK or YAU MA TEI: Bus vs Airport Express Train • The Poor Traveler
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Mong Kok (MK) and nearby Yau Ma Tei are vibrant shopping destinations. Tourists flock to this area because it’s close to key attractions, especially night markets. But most importantly, these two areas have a wide, wide selection of hotels and inns. Most are pretty small, but affordable, at least by Hong Kong standards. But how do you get here from the airport? Find out in this video! USEFUL LINKS: Find DISCOUNTED HONG KONG HOTELS on Klook (Use promo code THEPOORTRAVELER for up to 5% OFF): ✅ https://www.klook.com/en-PH/hotels/city/2-hong-kong-hotels?aid=825 Get DISCOUNTED AIRPORT EXPRESS TICKETS here: ✅ https://bit.ly/tpthkairportexpress Reserve OCTOPUS CARD here: ✅ https://bit.ly/octopustpt Get DATA SIM CARD here: ✅ https://bit.ly/hkdatasim Don't forget to enter promo code THEPOORTRAVELER for up to 5% OFF, when booking with Klook! HOW TO GET TO MONG KOK FROM HONG KONG AIRPORT (Written Version): https://www.thepoortraveler.net/hong-kong-airport-to-mong-kok/ HOW TO GET TO CENTRAL FROM HONG K
THE POOR TRAVELER
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Run time: 11:51
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00:00.0
Hong Kong has a number of districts that are ideal for tourists to stay.
00:08.7
Two of them are Mong Kok and Yonge Matay.
00:11.3
But how do you get there from the airport?
00:13.5
We'll show you in a moment, so just hang in there!
00:21.2
Hey there, poor traveler! We are Vins and Yosh.
00:23.9
Over the past 14 years, we have set foot in Hong Kong over 10 times.
00:28.0
And on our most recent trip, we chose to stay in one of its liveliest districts, Mong Kok.
00:34.7
But wait, wait, wait! Before we begin,
00:36.8
it would really help us to make more useful travel content
00:39.5
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00:42.7
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00:46.8
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00:50.2
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00:53.2
Mong Kok, often shortened to MK and nearby Yonge Matay,
00:56.8
are vibrant shopping districts.
00:58.0
They are also known as the best shopping destinations.
01:00.0
Together with Tsim Sha Tsui, they form one administrative district called Yau Tsim Mong.
01:04.9
Tourists flock to this area because it's close to key attractions, especially night markets.
01:10.5
So if you love shopping, MK is very okay.
01:14.9
Mong Kok and Yonge Matay look modern with towering buildings and, at night,
01:18.8
it is illuminated by glitzy neon signs.
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But it is also very traditional in parts.
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It's here that you'll find the vibrant, busy, and crowded scenes
01:28.0
that first come to mind when we imagine Hong Kong.
01:31.0
But most importantly, these two areas have a wide, wide selection of hotels and inns.
01:36.6
Most are pretty small but very affordable, at least by Hong Kong standards.
01:42.1
Let's zoom in on the map of Mong Kok and Yonge Matay.
01:45.1
You'll see that it's cut in half by this thoroughfare, called Nathan Road,
01:49.5
which is dotted with numerous bus stops.
01:52.1
Nathan Road also runs along a huge part of the MTR Chuen Wan Line,
01:56.3
which is a commonly-used train or subway line for tourists and locals alike.
02:01.3
Many of the city's main attractions are accessible from this line.
02:05.0
Mong Kok and Yonge Matay are located here and here.
02:08.5
But the airport is way over here.
02:12.1
One of the best and busiest airports in the world,
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the Hong Kong International Airport is on reclaimed land on Chek Lap Kok Island,
02:18.8
next to Lantau Island, almost an hour away from the city center.
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So, how do you get from here to here?
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You have two main options, the bus and the train.
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Let's start with the bus.
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The bus to catch is either A21 or A20.
02:38.4
Both will pass through Mong Kok but with slightly different route in the area.
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Check on Google Maps which bus stop is closer to your hotel.
02:45.8
But note that there are way more A21 buses than A20 buses.
02:50.3
Either way, the bus is the cheapest, easiest, and most convenient option.
02:56.3
With the train, this is a direct way and does not entail switching or transferring along the way.
03:01.3
But before I go on, you might want to consider getting an Octopus card,
03:05.3
which can make your journey much easier and cheaper.
03:08.3
An Octopus card is a prepaid reloadable card that you can use for MTR and bus rides
03:13.2
and even purchases at select stores.
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It will allow you to skip buying tickets each time you're taking the MTR
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or scramble for coins when taking the bus.
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All you need to do is hover the card above the reader and you're through.
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The fare is also slightly cheaper when using an Octopus card than when paying on-site.
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But if you're taking public transportation multiple times,
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these discounts rack up and you'll end up saving a lot.
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You can get an Octopus card from Cloak.
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It costs HK$97 but it already comes with a $50 load that you can use right away.
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You can pick it up at the airport's arrival hall.
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In our case, we claimed our Octopus card at this counter.
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You can also book a data SIM on Cloak
03:55.8
and pick it up at the airport.
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A data SIM will make navigating much easier
03:59.9
so you're sure you're getting off at the right stop.
04:03.1
To reserve an Octopus card and a data SIM card,
04:06.3
follow the link in the description and pinned comment.
04:09.3
Don't forget to use the promo code ThePoorTraveler for extra discount.
04:13.2
So on your arrival day, after claiming your luggage at the carousel,
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you'll emerge into the arrival hall, right?
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So it is here that you should pick up your Octopus card and SIM card at this counter
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or whatever counter is assigned to you.
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And then, head to your right or follow the bus signs to the bus terminus,
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which is right in front of the airport building.
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It's located outside and it looks like this.
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Now, check the signs and look for the A21 bus stop.
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There's usually a queue because it's a very popular area.
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They display the route or bus number in front so make sure you're boarding the right bus.
04:49.1
When it's time to board, prepare your Octopus card and tap it or hover it above the card reader.
04:54.1
Install just by the entrance door of the bus.
04:57.0
If you decide to not get an Octopus card, you can pay by cash.
05:00.9
But make sure you have the exact amount because they don't give change.
05:05.5
I also realized recently that the bus also accepts Visa cards.
05:10.3
I was able to try it and it worked but I'm not sure if it's accepted on all buses.
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The fare is HK$34.60 regardless of whether you're alighting in Mongkok or Yau Ma Tei.
05:22.9
The fare will still be the same.
05:25.1
By the way, airport buses are double-deckers.
05:28.3
And upon boarding, you'll immediately see this baggage section where you could leave your suitcases or bags.
05:34.4
There's also a few seats here but if none is available, just head up to the top deck.
05:40.1
Don't worry, there are cameras here pointed at the baggage area so you could still keep an eye on your bag.
05:45.9
Travel time is 50 to 90 minutes depending on where you are alighting and the traffic situation at the time.
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If your destination is Mongkok, you can book a seat here.
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If you're in Mongkok, you'll probably have to get off at any of the following stops.
06:06.0
Oh, wait, wait, wait! Before I forget, the A21 bus is available from 5.30 am to 12 midnight.
06:12.8
While the A20 bus, from 10.30 am to midnight.
06:16.8
But what if your flight is scheduled to arrive outside these hours?
06:21.2
In that case,
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instead of taking the A21 bus, take the N21 bus, which operates from 12.20 am until 4.40 am.
06:30.6
It also makes several stops in Mongkok and Yau Ma Tei.
06:34.1
Fare is HK$23.8.
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Just research first which stop is closest to your hotel.
06:41.2
Speaking of hotels, prices of accommodations have increased dramatically in Hong Kong over the years.
06:46.9
If you're still looking for a place to stay and you want to score big discounts, book your hotel with Kluk.
06:52.0
Just click the link in the description or pinned comment and use our promo code THEPORETRAVELER
06:56.8
that will give you 5% off capped at 350 or 280 pesos.
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If the bus is the easiest option, the Airport Express is the fastest.
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But there's a catch.
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It involves two transfers.
07:15.6
The Airport Express has only three stops other than the airport.
07:19.3
Ching Yei, Kowloon,
07:20.8
and Hong Kong Station.
07:22.8
If your destination is Mongkok, your stop is Ching Yei Station.
07:26.9
From here, you'll have to transfer to the MTR.
07:29.9
You can purchase Airport Express tickets on-site, but it's much cheaper to book online.
07:35.0
As you can see, you'll end up saving a lot if you book a roundtrip ticket instead of two one-way tickets.
07:40.5
And you'll also save more if you purchase from Kluk.
07:43.7
Aside from the online discount,
07:45.6
you can score even more savings if you use our exclusive promo code THEPORETRAVELER
07:50.1
as you check out.
07:51.5
Again, you'll find the links in the description and in comment.
07:55.2
Once you land in Hong Kong, here's how to reach Mongkok.
07:58.8
First, look for the Airport Express Station which is directly in front of the terminal.
08:03.7
You won't miss it. There are plenty of signs.
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If you booked online, you just need to use the QR code for Airport Express.
08:11.2
But you'll need to purchase tickets or use your Octopus cards for the next ride.
08:15.6
Switch to Tung Chung Line or Orange Line and get off at Lai King Station.
08:20.6
Switch to the Chuen Wan Line or Red Line.
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And finally, alight at either Mongkok Station or Yau Ma Tei Station.
08:27.9
From here, you may simply walk to your hotel or inn, assuming it's close to Nathan Road.
08:33.1
If your Mongkok Hotel is close to the MTR Olympic Station,
08:36.8
then it's best to do a bus and train combo.
08:39.8
Catch the S1 bus to Tung Chung Station and then ride the train to Olympic Station.
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And that's it!
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Going back to the airport is easy too.
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Whether you took the bus or the train, all you have to do is trace your steps back.
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If by train, take the same MTR Chuen Wan Line to return to Lai King Station,
09:02.8
transfer to the Orange Tung Chung Line, and get off at Tsing Yi Station.
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Finally, catch the Airport Express to the airport.
09:11.2
That is, if your hotel is close to Nathan Road or MTR Mongkok Station or Yau Ma Tei Station.
09:17.2
But if it's closer to the MTR Olympic Station,
09:20.4
go there instead and take the train to Tung Chung Station.
09:24.0
There, catch the S1 bus to the airport.
09:27.4
If by bus, you can take the same A21 or A20 bus.
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Just find the closest bus stop to you.
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On our last trip, we stayed at I-Club Mongkok and the closest stop was the Ming Kei College along Cherry Street.
09:40.7
Although, to be honest, we don't recommend taking the A21 bus when airport mount.
09:45.8
You see, from the airport to Mongkok, you're boarding at the first stop,
09:49.5
which means the bus is mostly empty.
09:52.0
But when going back to the airport, Mongkok is in the middle of the route,
09:55.6
which means there are fewer seats available on board.
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Not to mention that the bus is subject to traffic conditions so it can take much much longer,
10:03.7
which can be pretty stressful when you have a plane to catch.
10:12.3
So, which is the best way to get from the airport to Yau Ma Tei or Mongkok?
10:16.8
If your hotel is close to Nathan Road,
10:18.8
I think no question the A21 bus is the best option.
10:23.1
Or the N21 bus if you're arriving late night or early morning.
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Unless you're pressed for time.
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If your hotel is along Cherry Street or close to Charming Garden, take the A20 bus.
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It takes a bit longer but it is more convenient and less stressful.
10:40.0
But when going back to the airport, we recommend the MPR and Airport Express.
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Unless your point of origin is close to Olympic Station,
10:48.9
then the MTR plus S1 bus is the way to go.
10:52.7
Have you tried any of these routes?
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How was the experience?
10:56.2
Do you have questions or topic suggestions for our future videos?
10:59.5
Let us know in the comment section below.
11:02.1
In our next video, we'll be presenting you with our Hong Kong travel guide
11:06.0
where we'll show you where to stay, where to eat, and many other tips about traveling to and around Hong Kong.
11:12.9
You don't wanna miss that so if you're not yet subscribed to this channel,
11:16.4
hit the subscribe button now and the bell icon beside it.
11:18.9
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11:21.6
You can also follow us on Instagram, X, and TikTok.
11:25.1
Just look for at the Poor Traveler, single L.
11:28.1
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11:29.5
Follow The Poor Traveler Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
11:33.6
That's all for now.
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Remember, plan smart, travel safe, and make every trip worth it!
11:48.8
Thank you for watching!